Tuesday July, 26 2022 @ 12:02

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: Off Pot Nets Seaside

On Tuesday afternoon, July 26^th, the Indian River (80), Millsboro (83), Dagsboro (73) volunteer fire companies were alerted for water rescue incident in the Indian River Bay off Pot Nets Seaside.  Additional emergency response alerts included the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad, the Sussex County Paramedics, the United States Coast Guard – Indian River Squadron, and the DNREC – Marine Police. It was reported to be a pontoon boat with four (4) soles aboard had run aground and a mariner was attempting to push the pontoon and encountered a medical condition.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Utility 80-8 with 80 Marine 1 from the Oak Orchard facility, Brush 80-0 with 80 Marine 2 and Chief 80-15 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response units from Indian River and Millsboro launched from the Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp, Dagsboro launched from the Vines Creek area.  Indian River Marine units transported the Sussex County Paramedics to the area of the incident while DNREC and USCG monitored the situation from the nearby channel.

Indian River’s 80 Marine 1 positioned itself nearby to allow the loading of the distressed mariner and the other paramedic onto its marine unit to begin the transferring process back to the Massey’s Landing Public Ramp.  The Sussex County Paramedics did initiate patient care while transporting back to the boat ramp.  Upon arriving at the Massey’s Landing Boat Ramp, the distress mariner was transferred to an awaiting ambulance for transporting to nearby medical facilities.  Some of the remaining marine units assisted the other mariners and vessel back to their origin launching point.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated the closing of Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp for the duration of the incident.

The DNREC Marine Police are coordinating the incident evaluation.